Cash, any time. I could pay off my mortgage and be financially secure with that sort of money, and the peace of mind that would bring would be worth far more to me than the brief excitement of seeing the Earth from 65 miles up.

Taking the cash is a bad plan because the government will steal about 60% of it in the form of taxes. So the actual amount you receive is far less than the actual prize value. With cash, the Government "wins" the prize; with trip to space, *you* get to enjoy it fully.

The taxes you may have to pay vary from country to country as well as by income level. In Canada taxes aren't a concern since prize money isn't considered part of income and is not taxable. We get taxed enough on our earned income. I believe this is treated very different in the US and in the UK.

Taking the cash is a bad plan because the government will steal about 60% of it in the form of taxes. So the actual amount you receive is far less than the actual prize value. With cash, the Government "wins" the prize; with trip to space, *you* get to enjoy it fully.

I don't know fore sure, but I think that even if you receive a non-cash prize or large gift, you owe taxes. For example, if you wish a new car as part of a door prize, you owe taxes on that.

"The universe is complicated and for the most part beyond your control, but your life is only as complicated as you choose it to be."

Taking the cash is a bad plan because the government will steal about 60% of it in the form of taxes. So the actual amount you receive is far less than the actual prize value. With cash, the Government "wins" the prize; with trip to space, *you* get to enjoy it fully.

I don't know fore sure, but I think that even if you receive a non-cash prize or large gift, you owe taxes. For example, if you wish a new car as part of a door prize, you owe taxes on that.

That's definitely a case of call your local tax expert. We could certainly get 1000 different correct answers on that matter!

Taking the cash is a bad plan because the government will steal about 60% of it in the form of taxes. So the actual amount you receive is far less than the actual prize value. With cash, the Government "wins" the prize; with trip to space, *you* get to enjoy it fully.

I think that's why every such contest prize typically has a cash value associated with it.

"The universe is complicated and for the most part beyond your control, but your life is only as complicated as you choose it to be."

It means bragging rights to your family, friends, children, and grandchildren for them to reach higher and achieve their best! Alan B. Shepard league.

Shepard took the chance of going the lost in space route and in those days rockets were less reliable then today. There's always a risk in everything you do including crossing the street at the wrong time.

....paying off your house ? er.. really ? YAWWWN, who will remember that ?

Strap me up to that big firecracker and let's go up to visit the Aurora Borealis.

Fire me UP! To hell with the money. Great, I own my home now. And hit by the beer truck on the way to work. I'd rather be the dead space monkey then the dead home-owner.

I just want to know if they'll let me take my parachute... "thanks for the trip guys... mind popping the door?"

Agreed on the tax thing, but you might end up paying taxes on the 'gift' anyway, which is another reason for cash association to prize winnings. Just gotta roll with it.

I understand far too well why a lot of people would take the cash. The money would pay for all my dental surgery in one go... however, when am I ever going to see a chance like this again if I won? No, no. I'll take that once in a lifetime adventure. @SpaceDBA for the win!

- Craig Farrell

Never stop learning, even if it hurts. Ego bruises are practically mandatory as you learn unless you've never risked enough to make a mistake.